Reddit mentions: The best metal casting supplies

So what hot stuff do you work with? Hot is kind of an understatement when it comes to molten metal. Molten metal comes with it's own share of unique problems, that quite frankly many back yard casters choose to ignore.

u/vigg-o-rama has set you up on the right path, but I think he overlooked that you were talking copper too. The advice he gave is pretty damn good for aluminum, but copper is not aluminum, and behaves nothing like it. Take it as a starting point.

If you want to buy something, buy a gold furnace. Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/HARDIN-234-4-Melting-Furnace-Casting-Recycling/dp/B00A9WQO5O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1469799337&sr=8-2&keywords=jewelry+furnace

a 4kg gold furnace will have a melting capacity of about 1lb of aluminum, and about 4lbs of copper. I am assuming your dad is a contractor and you're using wire scraps. You shouldn't have any troubles putting it into one of these furnaces.

If you want to DIY it, but are concerned about the refractory, just buy a commercial furnace refractory. It takes some looking, but it isn't hard to get if you are willing to pay for it.

Get a real crucible, you don't have time to play around with DIY when dealing with copper. I would do my best not to use metal molds, and if you do, make sure they're steel, and have been pre-heated before you pour anything into them.

On the safety side of things, leather is your friend. Copper will ignite cloth on contact, and really does't stop it at all. Aluminized PPE is even better.

What do you plan on doing with your ingot when you're done?

This one seems good

Happybuy 1KG Gold Melting Furnace 2102℉ Digital Melting Furnace Machine Heating Capacity 1800W Casting Refining for Precious Metals Gold Silver Tin Aluminum (1KG) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071PBVSJQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VD1jDbR77J9GB

You might be better off using something like this if u can afford it https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B075QFPNWY/ref=sspa_mw_detail_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&th=1

Instead of a kit I'd recommend just getting an electric one.

https://www.amazon.com/Kilogram-Refining-Assaying-Precious-Aluminum/dp/B01H2YOVLA/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1484734155&sr=8-13&keywords=metal+melter

The only reason to build one is because you like building or you want to do large pours.

https://www.amazon.com/Rapidfire-Electric-digital-Controller-Beadmaking/dp/B00B626FHS/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1541232262&sr=8-5&keywords=kiln

Less than $500, heats to 1200c in less than 10 minutes.

That's a smaller one, but it's clearly not difficult.

Basically you’d need to purchase a bunch of fire bricks and bond them together. You’d then carve out an area for the special heating wire coil and add a PID controller and relay. You’d then need a crucible and tongs.

In short, you might just buy a tabletop unit rather than the hassle of trying to make one yourself.

Example...

Happybuy 1KG Gold Melting Furnace 2102 F Degrees Fahrenheit Digital Melting Furnace Machine Heating Capacity 1800W Casting Refining for Precious Metals Gold Silver Tin Aluminum (1KG)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071PBVSJQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6b5UDbBK5F1PX

So the burn out klin, is that purely to melt the PLA from the investment (mold?). Or would you also want to use that to melt your required metal?

As for going with Propane, that would be for the furnace to melt the metal? You prefer it over electric on something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/ProCast-Melting-Refining-Precious-Aluminum/dp/B01D7IITLS/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1542309580&sr=8-15&keywords=electric+kiln

My wife had one of these for jewelry and we used it for Rosin. You can really get a great press with heat on these but the contact pad is only about 6 inches wide. Ours is older than this one but still works...

http://www.amazon.com/Arbe-Machine-Vulcanizer-Jewelry-Standard/dp/B00DVT3RAM

Thanks you! This is the exact furnace I use but can be bought for cheaper. I have seen them from $350-$500 each. It holds up to a kilo of silver and melts it to just over 2,000 degrees.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M17D0XT?psc=1

or this one

https://www.amazon.ca/Hardin-HD-2344SS-Stainless-Tabletop-Kilogram/dp/B00A9WQO5O

Whoa cheaper than I expected is this like what you have?

https://www.amazon.com/Kilogram-Refining-Assaying-Precious-Aluminum/dp/B00DNDBOCE

It's called a kiln

Example: https://www.amazon.com/Propane-Melting-Furnace-Silver-Copper/dp/B0108U6OTW

Amazon has a kit for exactly this.

Or this far cheaper one. Also on Amazon.

Here you go.